A desperate search is underway in Utah after two young brothers vanished alongside their father, with police warning the children could be in 'imminent danger' as fears grow over the mental state of the man accused of taking them.
Authorities issued an Amber Alert early on Sunday for one-year-old Will Richman and infant Wesley Richman after their father, Dane Stephen Richman, failed to show up for a scheduled custody exchange in Saratoga Springs on Saturday.
Investigators say the boys have not been seen since before the missed exchange, setting off a desperate race against time as loved ones and law enforcement try to piece together clues as to there whereabouts.
Police have painted a deeply troubling picture of the missing father's recent behavior, saying there is growing concern for the children's safety because Richman was believed to be 'seriously depressed,' suffering financial problems and had possibly abandoned his home before disappearing with the boys.
'There is concern for the safety and well-being of the children as the suspect has been seriously depressed, selling possessions, facing financial stress, and abandoned his home,' the Amber Alert states.
The warning has raised fears the children may face 'imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death,' according to investigators.
Utah authorities issued an Amber Alert on Sunday after Dane Stephen Richman, failed to attend a custody exchange
Infant Wesley Dane Richman was described by investigators as approximately 2-foot-2 and 23 pounds with blonde or strawberry-colored hair and blue eyes.
Authorities identified missing child Will Thomas Richman as a one-year-old boy with blonde or strawberry-colored hair and blue eyes who stands about 2-foot-6 and weighs 31 pounds
Will is described as about 2-foot-6 and 31 pounds with blonde or strawberry-colored hair and blue eyes, while Wesley is described as approximately 2-foot-2 and 23 pounds with blonde or strawberry-colored hair and blue eyes.
Their father, Dane, is described as 6-foot-2 and around 195 pounds with brown hair and green eyes.
Police believe the family may be traveling in a black 2025 Toyota Camry bearing Utah license plate A561HL, although investigators warned the vehicle could also be displaying a temporary tag that may make the plate difficult to identify.
'I miss my babies !!! Please help me find them. They are my world!!!! I can’t even describe how awful this is. Please please please help me find them!!!!', mom Lizzie Tomich wrote online
The Amber Alert stated there were growing fears for the children's 'safety and well-being' because Richman had been selling possessions and abandoning his home before vanishing
The two little boys are seen alongside their mother Lizzie Tomich
'I miss my babies !!! Please help me find them. They are my world!!!! I can’t even describe how awful this is. Please please please help me find them!!!!', mom Lizzie Tomich wrote online
Will Richman, 22 months, right, and 10-month-old Wesley Richman, left, with mom Lizzie Tomich. The two brothers have been kidnapped by their father
Tomich stated explicitly that her children had been 'kidnapped' by the boy's father
Law enforcement agencies across Utah are now searching for the black Camry while urging drivers, business owners and residents to immediately report any sightings.
Police have not publicly disclosed where investigators believe Richman may be headed.